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`WILLIAM r. 'LE'reHwoR'Ta oirBUFFALo, NEW YORK'.

Letters .Patent No. 81,095, dated August 18, 1868. I

IMPROVEMENT'IN MACHINE-IS UR BENDING WOOD.

@its rlphule, nit-rta it it tinte Etaient' http y To ALL WHOM4 1r MAYooNcERN:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM P. Lnrcnwonrn, of the city of unalo, in thecounty of Erie, and State ofl NewA York, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Apparatus for Bending Hannes; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full and exact description thereof,reference being had to the accompany-'- ing drawings, making part ofthis specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation. A v

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion ofthe iron strap on the back of thehaines, and the auxiliary strip used while bending the latter. A

Figure 3, a cross-section, in plane of line a: iig. 1.

Like letters designate corresponding` parts in all the gures.

The design of my invention is the construction of an apparatus by whichhames can be properly bent after they have been fashioned to therequired shape, which process can be accomplished at a much less expensebefore bendingthan afterwards.

The invention consists of a fra-mc or former, provided with a groove orchannel, made to conform, or nearly s, with the inner bevelled edge ofthe hames, in which the latter isretained in proper position while'it isbeing l bent. It also consists, in combination therewith, of the use of-a thin slip of metal on the back of the haines, between it andthestrap, during the process oi' bending, for the purpose of preventing thewood from breaking or slivering at the edge, and reducing the friction.

' In the drawings, A represents the former, preferably cast in iron, ofthe required shape; B, the frame or vise for holding the same; D, thewooden portion of the llames, and e the usual metallic strap fastened tothe back or outer edge. fis a thin strip of metal, of a width equal toor a little more than that of the-back of the llames, which istemporari-lyinserted between the strap e andthat portion of the haineswhich is to be bent.

'lhe casting A is formed with two flanges, g It, the former vertiealftoiit the inner side of the llames, and the latter diverging therefrom, soas to conform with the be'velled side, and made of' suilicient width toform a channel of the shape df a bent haines, which will sustain; thelatter in proper position while it is being bent. One end of the form Aterminates ina hook, over which engages the ring z', at the lower end ofthe hames. v The opposite end is provided with a series `of notches orsteps, n, in which a link, m, or equivalent, which slides on the hamcsand notched end of A, is adjusted for retaining the hamcs in the latterafter it has been bent.

The metallic stripf being made of the full width of the back of thehames, and o f a length equal to the bent portion, hugs the latter moretightly than the strip e otherwise would, that, being usually made ofless width than the ha'mes does not protect the edges, which are veryliable to break and sliver up, butwhich the use of stripfei'ectuallyprevents. I

i The great advantage of my improvementis, that it enables the woodenportion D of the hames to be properly fashioned before they are` bent,which, being readily accomplished by machinery, effects a great savingover the ordinary-method of iirst bending the timberland then shapingthe hames by hand.

Each haines being bent on an inflexible form, must render them all ofthe sameuniform curvation.

"he harnesvbeing Worked to the proper size, and shaped and ironed, areprepared by steaming in the usual. manner before bending, which may beelfected by lever or other mechanical power over the describedapparatus.

Another advantage is, that the strap e is more easily fastened to thehames before itV is bent than afterward, audit fits more closely than itcould be made to if not applied till after the hames 'are bent.

In bending h'ames according-'to the old method, aniron strap is securedtemporarily to the hames, which has afterwards to be Iremoved, in order'tonish the latter, the use of which my improvement dispenses with, asthe same strap'that is employed while bend-ing the hames remainspermanently attached, as before stated.

What I claim as my invention, is-

The herein-deseribed device for bending haines, consisting of theformer, A, notched at one end, and provided with a hook at the other,and employed in connection with the stripf, all` constructed andarranged in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

A In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

` WM. P. LETOHWORTH.

Witnesses:

JAY HYATT, ALBERT HAIGHT.

